PURPOSE: The dysfunctional elimination syndrome (DES) is rare in adulthood. We evaluate the natural history of DES to identify aspects of the disorder that may be carried into adulthood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 2-part questionnaire was devised and self-administered to 191 consecutive women attending a urogynecological clinic (UG) and to 251 normal women. The first section asked for recall of childhood symptoms known to be associated with DES, while the lat-ter section explored current bladder and bowel problems. Data sets from the normal cohort (55) reporting current bladder problems were excluded. Descriptive statistics, chi-square and Mann-Whitney-U tests were used to compare variables. RESULTS: UG patients had significantly higher childhood DES scores than normal women. Overall 41.7% of UG patients could be labeled as having dysfunctional elimination as an adult. Symptoms reported significantly more often in childhood by UG patients than by control women were frequent urinary tract infection, vesicoureteral reflux, frequency, urge incontinence, slow and intermittent urine flow, small volume high urge voids, hospitalization for constipation, frequent fecal soiling and nocturnal enuresis. Higher DES scores correlated significantly with current adult urgency, urge leak, stress incontinence, incomplete emptying, post-void leak, hesitancy, nocturia and nocturnal enuresis. Constipation and fecal incontinence in adulthood also showed a significant association with high DES scores. Logistic regression revealed childhood urgency to be associated with adult DES. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood lower urinary tract dysfunction may have a negative impact on bladder and bowel function later life.

Intestinal obstruction caused by sigmoid volvulus is extremely rare during pregnancy; only 73 cases have been reported worldwide. A case report of recurrent sigmoid volvulus in a 22-year-old pregnant Saudi female and a review of the literature are presented. Despite a previous sigmoidopexy in another institution, colonoscopic detortion and rectal tube decompression was successful until after delivery when sigmoid colectomy was performed. From this case, we propose a treatment option based on the absence or presence of peritonitis and gestational age is suggested. In the first trimester, nonoperative procedure using colonoscopic detorsion and rectal tube decompression is recommended until the second trimester when sigmoid colectomy is performed for recurrent cases. In the third trimester, the treatment is nonoperative until fetal maturity and delivery when sigmoid colectomy is performed. Sigmoid volvulus complicating pregnancy is an uncommon and potentially serious condition and should be recognized as a surgical emergency. Prompt surgical intervention is necessary to minimize maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.
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